Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Snoozepill — 26 Jul 2013

Yeah, it's pretty bad. The script is just... atrocious. BUT it isn't as terrible as the reviewers say it is. As others have noted, it does a great job of capturing a Lynch-ian dreamlike vibe. That kind of atmosphere is rare in cinema these days, so it deserves some respect for that alone.

The cinematography is top notch and Cliff Martinez's score is subtle and fantastic. Like "Drive" it has the claustrophobia and nightmarish inevitability of a Grimm fairy tale or Greek tragedy, but what's missing here is a heart.

There's no one to root for, no struggle to identify with. The film is destined for cult status and I know several cinephiles who are already crazy about it, but I'd say this one is for die-hard Refn fans only.